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The Spectacle Blog
Bill Kristol wisely agrees with all the conservative critics (among them, Rush Limbaugh) that the Newt/Huntsman/Perry attacks on Romney/Bain are over the top, but also that it is not unreasonable to at least question Bain’s performance. But he says it far more eloquently than I just did, and in a way that rightly finds the Tea Party perspective.
View all comments (12) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Quin Hillyer
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/01/10/kristols-wise-middle-ground-be
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Dan| 1.10.12 @ 2:48PM
Here's a very simple statement, and a proposition that Conservatives over the years have had no problem concurring therewith.
Not every single business activity occurring in the private sector is praiseworthy MERELY by virtue of it having occurred in the private sector.
Which means that we are allowed to examine the business activities of Bain Capital WITHOUT placing the entirety of Capitalism in the dock along with Bain.
The idea that the GOP is going to go to the mattresses for corporate raiding, during a time of unemployment that hasn't been seen for generations, during a time where economic growth is effectively non-existent, the idea that we're about to do that in a presidential election year the importance of which can hardly be described, the idea that the GOP is going to commit itself so is patently brain dead.
Dan| 1.10.12 @ 2:58PM
Furthermore, since when has Capitalism been synonymous with corporate raiding?
Since when has the healthy tree of Capitalism been dependent upon the thin reed of corporate raiding, which is something of a pathological strain within Capitalism?
This isn't to say that such business activity ought to be prohibited, for companies in extremis there might be no other option.
BUT what shall we make when your WHOLE BUSINESS model is NOTHING but corporate raiding?
What are we to make of one out there who touts his business experience, but that experience isn't one of creation but corporate cannibalization?
We are about to nominate a more mild mannered Chainsaw Al Dunlap!
Which means we're going to be forced to defend corporate raiding for the entirely of 2012!
Who here thinks that's a good idea with unemployment at a level unseen for generations?
Oldefarte| 1.10.12 @ 2:59PM
For Kristol to critisize Romney's private sector experience thus is ludicrous and asinine, but what would one expect for his pompous ass of the literary world. Possibly the main difference between Kristol and Obama is that one's a MSM publisher of the supposedly conservative persuasion, while the other is a community organizing Acorn type thug that knows how to improperly use a government issued credit card. Of course we desperately need as president a career political hack that is a faithful Catholic, has five chilluns and disdains abortion as his targeted policital platform, right? And Kristol can take his condecending sneers regarding Haley Boubour's southern roots and stick it where the sun don't shine as far as some of us are concerned. If Kristol wasn't selling STUPIDS his supposedly conservative heretage within his monthly MSM rag, he probably would know a PROFIT from a hole in the ground, private sector business speaking. The audicity of his crisism of someone who has actually profitably operated a successful financial enterprise and gererated income and jobs in the process is beyond belief, but hey it's afree country I suppose [though doubtful considering the last three years]!!!!
J. P. | 1.10.12 @ 5:42PM
Now really, sir, this much hyperventilation is going to end badly and, I fear, in the ER. Relax, O.F., and read what Mr. Kristol and Mr. Hillyer are writing. What they are writing is eminently sensible. They are not criticizing business, as you seem to think, indeed they are timid compared, for example, to Adam Smith. And there is nothing here about Gov. Barbour, or however you spell his name. And the intemperate and disrespectful insult to the President of the United States, really, you ought to exercise restraint.
Pete| 1.10.12 @ 6:33PM
I started consulting in 1995. I got to see many corrupt consulting companies. One was Arthur Andersen, who later was involved in the Enron scandal. They later became Accenture with headquarters in Bermuda to escape US taxes.
I saw how they any many other consulting companies lacked ethics. You find criminals where-ever the money is.
We need a candidate who explain why it IS good to fire people, not run from it. Waste in government is magnified because it doesn't fire people and trim the fat. The next president better be prepared to lay off a million non-essential government workers.
Oldefarte| 1.10.12 @ 8:26PM
Sensible? Comparing Republican Romney to Democrats Corzine and Blumberg? Next you'll suggest comparing Hitler to Bush as sensible no doubt. Try understanding my point NOT that "...They are not criticizing business..." but that they do not understand business practices and same's abilities to be successfully applied to government successfully. Also your Adam Smith comment has about as much relevence as a SCREEN DOOR IN A SUBMARINE since textbook economic theory is partially useless within real world business situations. Also since Kristol is the subject here, what he has said concerning other politicians previously is relevent to this discussion as same defines his thinking regarding politicians in general, so try studying same before asininely making dismissive comments. Finally, since Obama makes statements concerning FAT CAT BANKERS and GREEDY MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES, your description "...And the intemperate and disrespectful insult to the President of the United States, really, you ought to exercise restraint....." of my remarks is ludicrous and false [it is he who is being intemperate and disrespectful of the American people in his socialistic-oriented remarks instead!!!!!
Dan| 1.10.12 @ 3:33PM
It was perfectly OK for many here and elsewhere to attack Gingrich for consulting.
But any question about Romney's stewardship of Bain Capital warrants an anathema!
No.
Here's something that Hillyer upon a time probably understood.
Business activity, LIKE ANY HUMAN ACTIVITY, has within it an ethical constraint.
To question HOW Romney CHOSE to operate Bain is NOT to draw into question the entirety of Capitalism.
Merely because a business activity has occurred in the private sector DOES NOT IMMUNIZE it from ethical review.
In addition, the political assessment should follow naturally, ---------------- thus, -------------is nominating a corporate raider, in the mold of a Chainsaw Al Dunlap, a WISE and PRUDENT political move, during a period of rampant un and undermployment.
Just think through the issue without the drama that the Romney devotees desire to add. This isn't about Capitalism, this is about a minor and somewhat pathological strain within Capitalism.
And it's there that Romney CHOSE to conduct his business.
As a matter of economic theory are there places within the wider economic universe for a business vulture if you will? Sure, the argument can be made.
BUT AGAIN, who wants to constantly be making that argument throughout 2012?
The last thing we want this election to be about is Bain Capital!
Not EVERY SINGLE hit on a football field for instance is kosher, nor is every single hit on a hockey rink OK.
Quin| 1.10.12 @ 4:40PM
Did you even read what I wrote (or, rather, what I endorsed in what Kristol wrote)? The entire point of Kristol's post was that the Gingrich/Huntsman/Perry attacks on Bain were over the top, BUT that the idea of analyzing and criticizing Bain's performance is entirely fair game, as long as the analysis/criticism does not make it sound like the very act of venture-capital investing is wrong, but instead focuses on HOW Bain itself went about doing it and whether Bain's performance is as much of a qualification for the presidency as Romney keeps saying it is. (Kristol, by the way, says NO: There is nothing in the nature of successful venture-capital investing that makes it a qualification for the presidency.)
In short, Dan criticizes me (and Kristol) for taking the EXACT same position Dan himself takes. Earth to Dan: We agree on this one. Why so negatively reactive?
Oldefarte| 1.10.12 @ 8:43PM
To my limited knowledge, there has never before been a president whose prior business experience was in venture capitalism. If Romney or anyone proclaims this to be a essential professional qualification for the office of president, then possibly they need their heads examined [since their is no connection between the presidency and VC]. VC [or any other credible business experience] does qualify one for the presidency due to the fact that government is slightly [or should be] a BUSINESS of revenues and expenses [even though there's no PROFIT involved]. As I've said a thousand times, the presidency is an ADMINISTRATIVE job function requiring its occupant to make business-type decisions comparable to the private sector CEO. For Krystal or other to claim comparability of a VC/business experience to that of a soldier or a teacher is ludicrous and false [since the latter two have no executive/managerial experience]. Romney's supposedly stated experience in firing people is exactly what is needed in a president, since our government's expenses from departmental excesses requires someone with the abilities and knowhow to ternimate either/both governmental departments and their UNNECESSARY EMPLOYEES [who are paid by this country's taxpayers needlessly]!!!!!
David W| 1.10.12 @ 6:55PM
The important thing Romney and others have to remember is how will Obama and his cronies use Bain to attack Romney, business, capitalism, and conservatism. Unless Romney can comfortably support the benefit (if any) of doing what Bain did then he can kiss the election good bye.
Perhaps he can say that in the real world companies recognize that which does not work and has to adjust to it (like firing people). Government is incapable of doing that - hence the fact that the US is on the brink of insolvency and our Administration is sucking up to the Chinese for dollars. Business that want to survive have to adjust, and it is painful (more painful for some than for others). But if that doesn't happen, then we will end up like the Soviet Union.
Clint| 1.10.12 @ 8:01PM
Romney Had The Third Lowest Job Growth As Governor Of Massachusetts.
Mitten Is A Job Gravedigger.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is On The East Coast.
Oldefarte| 1.10.12 @ 8:45PM
Yeah, and Paulie is a Lake Jackson bicycler with TOO SHORT SHORTS. So what????????